Supporting LGBT+ this February
Supporting LGBT+ this February
Norfolk FA urges the Norfolk Football community to support and celebrate Football Vs Homophobia Month and LGBT+ History Month throughout February 2021.
Football vs Homophobia Month of Action
Football v Homophobia is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation gender identity and expression at all levels of football.
February is Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, where individuals and organisations across all levels of football to come together and act to create a game more LGBT+ inclusive, and free of LGBT+ discrimination. Whilst the current football season has been impacted by covid restrictions, the Football Vs Homophobia Month is still going ahead this year and we are asking clubs to dedicate a match day to the campaign, although at a later date in the season which is safe. More information can be found here.
During the Month of Action itself, clubs and organisations are invited to take meaningful steps towards LGBT+ inclusion and share these on social media. Please remember to use the hashtags #LGBTHM21 and #NorfolkFootballisProud.
LGBT+ History Month
LGBT+ History Month is also running throughout February 2021 with this year’s specific focus is on ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’. LGBT+ History month is an annual celebration of LGBT+ rights and related civil rights movements.
The Registered Charity’s overall aim is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public, and this is done by:
- Increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT+”) people, their history, lives and their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational and other institutions, and the wider community;
- Raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT+ community;
- Working to make educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBT+ communities; and
- Promoting the welfare of LGBT+ people, by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBT+ people to achieve their full potential, so they contribute fully to society and lead fulfilled lives, thus benefiting society as a whole.
Rachel Cossey, Norfolk County FA’s Football Development Officer (Inclusion) said:
“Any initiative that supports the inclusion of the LBGTQ+ community within our sport is welcomed and supported by Norfolk FA. It is essential that everyone feels able to be themselves and enjoy football in whatever role they hold in the game, no matter their sexuality or gender identity.
“I hope during this month of action the #NorfolkFootball community will continue to work to make our game more inclusive, as we all strive to have a sport free from discrimination."
Highlighting LGBT+ Inclusion in #NorfolkFootball
In December, and during the Rainbow Laces campaign, our Appointed Director for Inclusion, Di Cunningham sat down with our Chief Executive, Gavin Lemmon and local footballer, Matt Morton to discuss LGBT+ inclusion within football.
A player/manager for Thetford Town FC, Matt is the highest-level footballer in England to be openly gay. He discussed his story of coming out and the challenges football faces to make the game more inclusive.
You can watch the full video below, or via our YouTube channel.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Stonewall empower LGBT people to be their authentic selves, enabling them to realise and achieve their full potential, and we empower LGBT people and allies to create positive change. Find out more: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Football v Homophobia exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels in football. Find out more: https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
The overall aim of LGBT+ History Month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. Find out more: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/
LGBT HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL EVENTS
The official LGBT+ History Month organisation have a calendar full of over 1000 virtual events that can be seen here: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/calendar/
Football Vs Homophobia are also running online events that you can attend throughout the month. View all of the events here: https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/fvh-events/
